Multi-component sample container cap

Abstract

A sample container cap (or “cap”) is configured to be used with a sample container for collecting fluids. The cap has a body and a shutter connected to the body. The cap has a (1) first, open position in which at least one body opening and at least one shutter opening are not aligned and the cap is configured so that fluid cannot readily pass therethrough, (2) second, open position in which the at least one body opening and the at least one shutter opening are aligned and the cap is configured so that fluid can pass therethrough, and (3) third, closed and locked position, in which the at least one shutter opening and the at least one body opening are not aligned and fluid cannot readily pass through the cap, and the cap is configured to not be moved to an open position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cap for use on a container for collecting fluid samples, the cap comprising:
 (a) a body having a top portion with an interior top surface, a top opening in the top portion, and a support extending from the interior top surface into a cavity of the body, wherein the support has at least one wall and at least one body opening; and 
 (b) a shutter connected to the body and positioned at least partially in the cavity, wherein the shutter has at least one shutter opening, 
 wherein the cap has (i) a first, closed position in which the at least one shutter opening aligns with the at least one wall and fluid cannot pass through the cap, (ii) a second, open position in which the at least one shutter opening aligns with the at least one body opening and fluid can pass through the cap, and (iii) a third, closed and permanently locked position in which in which the at least one shutter opening aligns with the at least one wall and fluid cannot pass through the cap, and the cap is further configured to not be moved to an open position. 
 
     
     
       2. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises (a) outer threads configured to mate with threads of a fluid dispensing device, and (b) a top surface with an annular groove configured to retain debris, wherein the annular groove at least partially surrounds the opening. 
     
     
       3. The cap of  claim 2 , wherein the body further includes a first, annular rim on the top surface and outside of the annular groove, and a second, annular rim on the top surface around the opening, wherein each of the first, annular rim and the second, annular rim extend upwards from the top surface and are configured to seat against a surface of the fluid dispensing device when the cap is connected to the fluid dispensing device. 
     
     
       4. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity includes threads configured to connect to threads of a fluid sample container. 
     
     
       5. The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the cavity further includes a reduced-diameter portion that does not include the threads and the reduced-diameter portion includes at least one pair of positioning protrusions that defines a space between them, wherein the space is configured to receive an extension on the shutter in order to position the cap and shutter in the first, closed position when the two are connected. 
     
     
       6. The cap of  claim 5 , wherein the cavity includes two pairs of positioning protrusions and each pair defines a space between them, wherein each space is configured to receive an extension on the shutter in order to position the cap and shutter in the first, closed position when the two are connected. 
     
     
       7. The cap of  claim 5 , wherein the reduced-diameter portion further includes at least one abutment protrusion configured to (a) permit a stop on the shutter to move past it in a first direction, and (b) not permit the stop on the shutter move past it in a second direction. 
     
     
       8. The cap of  claim 7 , wherein the reduced-diameter portion includes two abutment protrusions and the shutter includes two stops. 
     
     
       9. The cap of  claim 5 , wherein the body further includes a plurality of tactile protrusions in the reduced-diameter portion, wherein each of the plurality of tactile protrusions are configured to provide a bump feel and/or a click sound when a stop or extension on the shutter moves past it. 
     
     
       10. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the body further includes an extension in the cavity and the extension includes a first prong having a barb, and a second prong having a barb, wherein the first prong is spaced apart from the second prong, and each of the first prong and the second prong is formed at an outwardly-extending angle. 
     
     
       11. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the shutter has an outer edge and a plurality of retention structures on the outer edge, wherein each retention structure comprises an extension configured to fit into a space between a pair of positioning protrusions in the cavity in order to position the cap in the first, closed position when the body and the shutter are connected, and wherein each of the plurality of retention structures has a first, non-compressed position and a second, compressed position. 
     
     
       12. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the shutter has an outer edge and a plurality of connection structures, wherein each of the plurality of retention structures has a stop, and each stop is configured to move past an abutment protrusion in the cavity when moving in a first direction and is configured to not move past the abutment protrusion when moved in a second direction. 
     
     
       13. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the shutter comprises at least one shutter opening that leads to a passage, wherein the shutter opening is in communication with the top opening. 
     
     
       14. The cap of  claim 13 , wherein the shutter further comprises two shutter openings in fluid communication with the passage, wherein the two shutter openings are configured to be positioned so as to (a) permit fluid to pass through, and into the cavity when the cap is in the second, open position, and (b) not permit fluid to pass through when the cap is in its first, closed position or its third, closed and permanently locked position. 
     
     
       15. The cap of  claim 14 , wherein the two shutter openings have exterior rims that are configured to seal against a wall of the body extension when the cap is in its (a) first, closed position, or (b) third, closed and permanently locked position. 
     
     
       16. The cap of  claim 15 , wherein the exterior rims comprise a softer material than the material that forms the two shutter openings. 
     
     
       17. The cap of  claim 14 , wherein the body has an extension in the cavity, wherein the extension comprises two extension openings and two walls, and wherein the two shutter openings of the shutter align with (a) the two extension openings of the extension when the cap is in the second, open position in order to permit the passage of fluid therethrough, and (b) the two walls of the extension when the cap is in its first, closed position or its third, closed and permanently locked position in order to prevent the passage of fluid therethrough. 
     
     
       18. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the shutter further comprises at least one flange that extends at least partially through an extension opening and that is configured to contact a static structure on the fluid dispensing device and cause the shutter to remain stationary as the body is rotated. 
     
     
       19. The cap of  claim 18 , wherein the shutter includes two flanges and one flange extends through a first body opening and a second flange that extends through a second body opening that further comprises a fluid-dispenser connector, wherein the fluid-dispenser connector includes: (a) threads configured to mate with the outer threads on the body, (b) a first flange stop configured to contact one of the flanges when the cap is being tightened in order to prevent further rotation of the shutter and cause the cap to move from its first, closed position to its second, open position as the cap is turned and tightened onto the connector, and (c) a second flange stop configured to contact one of the flanges and prevent further rotation of the shutter and cause the cap to move from its second, open position to its third, closed and permanently locked position as the cap is turned and loosened and removed from the connector. 
     
     
       20. The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the shutter has an outer, top periphery having an interior periphery and an exterior periphery and the interior periphery comprises a softer materials than the material that forms the remainder of the exterior periphery, in order to form a seal between the shutter and an upper, annular surface of the body.